Which coding system is focused on outpatient procedures and services?

The coding system that focuses on outpatient procedures and services is HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System). HCPCS is specifically designed to document procedures, services, and supplies provided by healthcare practitioners in outpatient settings, including those not covered by the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code set. It includes codes for routine outpatient services and various medical equipment, making it essential for billing and ensuring that all services rendered outside a hospital are properly coded and reimbursed.

ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-PCS are primarily used for inpatient settings. ICD-9-CM, while it includes some outpatient codes, is less comprehensive for outpatient services. ICD-10-PCS is specifically designed for inpatient procedures and does not apply to outpatient services. SNOMED CT is a clinical terminology used mainly for electronic health records and does not provide the procedural coding necessary for billing outpatient services. Therefore, HCPCS is the most appropriate system for coding outpatient procedures and services.